PichiAvo: Classical Art Meets Graffiti on a Global Scale
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Valencian Duo Blend Fine Arts Training and Street Culture into Striking Urban Works
PichiAvo is the artistic name of Juan Antonio “Pichi” (born 1977) and Álvaro “Avo” (born 1985), two artists from Valencia, Spain, who work together as a single creative team. They are best known for bringing classical imagery into contact with graffiti and contemporary street art, creating works that feel at home both in public spaces and in galleries. From early on, they chose to set aside the idea of working as separate individuals and instead build a shared practice, with a visual language that is clearly rooted in the city.
Both artists studied Fine Arts and Design and first met through Valencia’s graffiti scene. That common background gave them a solid base in drawing, painting, and composition, as well as a strong connection to the street. In 2007, they decided to officially join forces and work under the name PichiAvo. From that point, they focused on developing joint projects and refining a style that felt honest to their training and their graffiti roots. Their early years together were centered on learning, testing techniques, and strengthening their skills before they fully arrived at the mix of classical art and graffiti that defines their work today.
This gradual shift was not sudden. They passed through different phases as painters, adjusting their approach and experimenting with materials, formats, and scales. Over time, it became clear that what interested them most was the meeting point between old and new. In their work, you might see a figure inspired by Greek or Roman sculpture, treated with the energy and color of street writing. They apply this approach across painting, sculpture, and installation, and they are comfortable working both outdoors, on walls and public structures, and indoors, in the studio. Their use of materials is flexible, which allows them to adapt to different spaces and contexts.
A key turning point in their career came in 2015, when they created their first large-scale mural at the North West Walls Festival in Belgium, invited by artist Arne Quinze. The project opened the door to international opportunities and helped bring their work to a wider audience. After that, they were commissioned to paint at major urban art sites around the world, including Wynwood Walls in Miami in 2015 and the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami in 2016. In 2017, they painted the Houston-Bowery Wall in New York, becoming the first European artists to take on that landmark wall.
Their projects have also grown in scale and ambition. In 2019, they designed a 26-meter-high sculpture for the Fallas festival in Valencia, a major cultural event in their home city. That same year, they presented their first major exhibition at a public art center and collaborated with Portuguese artist Vhils on what is considered the second-largest mural in the world, located in Porto. These milestones reinforced their reputation as artists who can move comfortably between the street and institutional spaces while keeping a clear and consistent identity.
In 2020, PichiAvo moved into a new studio in Valencia, giving them more room to develop complex pieces, explore new formats, and prepare large projects. Their international profile continued to grow, and in 2024 they worked on two commissions for the Paris Olympic Games, one for an indoor space and another for an outdoor setting, mirroring the dual focus of their practice. That same year, they released Our Odyssey, their first anthology, which looks back on their artistic journey and offers a closer look at how their style has evolved.
Today, PichiAvo is recognized as one of the leading names in urban art, with a presence in cities and institutions around the world. Their mix of classical and contemporary influences, and their decision to always work as a duo, has given them a clear and recognizable voice. Upcoming projects include Per Ofrenar (“To Make an Offering”) for the Fallas of Valencia, which will take place from March 15 to 19, 2026, and a new Mural of Athena in Athens, Greece, scheduled for April 10 to 19, 2026.
For more information and updates on their work, visit their official website at https://www.pichiavo.com/.